Cross Stars head for Abergavenny
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The new season’s cyclo-cross National Trophy series gets under way at Abergavenny Leisure Centre on 7th October, where the usual suspects, some new faces and the return of some old ones, line up for what promises to be a fascinating contest.
Work commitments prevent Phil Dixon from defending his elite men’s series title, opening the door for Jody Crawforth (left) to go for a third Trophy, something that he was narrowly denied last season by Dixon’s excellent form. Rob Jebb finished the last cross campaign on an a high with World Championship selection, and will be looking to build on that foundation. The cancellation of the Three Peaks has deprived him of one of his early season targets, but a good showing at Abergavenny would provide a boost for the following weekend, when he tackles the 61 mile Iron Man Cross in Pennsylvania.
Two former podium regulars also return to Trophy competition after a short break. Matt Ellis (right) has been three times series runner-up, on the last occasion three years ago by the narrowest of margins, losing out to Jody Crawforth at the final race in Dudley after the two tied on points over the five rounds. Stuart Wearmouth’s best year was in 2002-03, when he was denied the series title by Barrie Clarke in a rainswept series finale in Kent. At the time of writing Ellis has yet to show his hand, but Wearmouth reeled off three successive wins in early season Yorkshire races to flag up his intentions. Look out too for series regular Nick Craig, and in round one, top mountain biker Oli Beckingsale.
With many of the leading under-23 contenders planning to delay the start of their cyclo-cross seasons following a busy summer leading up to the mountain bike Worlds in Fort William, look out for defending champion Stephen Adams or former Junior series winner Tom Last to be vying for the first green jersey of the winter.
Amy Hunt is one rider who hasn’t opted for a post-summer break, and with world ranked number 3 Helen Wyman and her Global RT team mate Gabby Day concentrating on continental races, she should start as favourite in the women’s race. Hunt won the Ipswich round last year before a broken collar bone curtailed her winter season. Up and coming younger riders Annie Last, Jessie Roberts and Marie Stuart will also be hoping to make an impact, but don’t discount seasoned campaigner and six times series champion Isla Rowntree.
Unusually, the top two from last season’s junior men’s competition, Alex Paton (left) and Scott Thwaites, are still eligible at this level. Paton comes to the series after riding the World Junior Cross-Country at Fort William, whereas Thwaites returns after a break from cycling during the summer. They will be joined by Paton’s VC Deal club mate Michael Butler, who will be hoping to make the same impact as Paton in his first year in the junior ranks. Meanwhile, with Butler moving up, the youth competition should see Daniel McLay, Luke Gray, Joshua Papworth and Max Sykes among the contenders.
The veterans’ Trophy promises to be particularly fiercely contested. Chris Young (right) missed last year’s opening round, and even four straight wins in the remaining races failed to dislodge Geoff Giddings from the top spot. This year Young has targeted the series, where he will do battle not only with Giddings, but also with Yorkshire rival Noel Clough, who reaches the 40+ category this year, and with Adrian Timmis, who will be opting for the vets rather than the elite competition.
In the 50+ category Roy Hunt continues to be the man to beat: Barry Kipling and Joseph Rowe, his nearest rivals from last season also line up.